Track construction



y 1934- H. H. DIEHL l,958,162

` TRACK CONSTRUCTION Filed March s, 1950 9 9 'Il/I/l//l///l//A ZEZ 067%?? %khan/( Patented May 8, 1934 UNITED STATES ?ATENT FFECE TRACK CONSTEUCTION Application March 15, 1930, Serial No. &36,074

3 Claims.

My invention relates to track construction constituting, as for example, a portion of a conveyor system and upon which a rolling element, as for example the roller-equipped hanger of a conveyor apparatus, is rollingly supported.

The track beams of such constructions are commonly provided with upper and lower flanges, the beam usually being of I-shape in cross section and in some cases, as for example where the track beams are used in some conveyor systems, the

rolling element, supported on the track beam engages the inner, opposed, surfaces of these flanges and thus it is desirable, if not necessary, that these surfaces of the flanges be smooth and not present any obstruction to the free movement of the rolling elements therealong.

One of my objects is to provide for the supporting of a track beam by means which shall be of novel, simple, and relatively inexpensive construction.

Another object is to provide a novel, simple, and inexpensive Construction of track beam adapted for the support thereof in the desired position.

Another object is to provide for the novel, simple, and relatively nexpensve supporting of a flanged track beam in such manner that the inner, opposed, surfaces of the anges of the beam will be smooth and not present any obstruction to the rolling of the rolling element therealong.

Another object is to provide a novel, simple, and inexpensive Construction of track beam which shall be adapted for its support in a manner to permit the unobstructed movement of the rolling element along the opposed surfaces of its fianges.

Another object is to provide a novel, simple, and inexpensive Construction of track beam, the sections of which may be spliced together, in endwise abutting relatior to form the desired length of track, in an economical manner; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a broken view in elevation of a track beam Construction embodyirg my invention showing it as an overhead Construction and secured to a supporting structure, such as a roof above it; and

Figure 2, an enlarged section taken at the line 2-2 on Fig. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

According to the particular illustrated embodiment of my invention, the track beam represented at 3 is of general I-shape in cross section to present the fiange portions 4 and 5.

In the particular Construction shown the track beam is provided as a part of an overhead conveyor system, the wheels (not shown) supporting the movable part of the conveyor and extending into the Channels 6 at the opposte sides of the web 7 of the beam and thus between the oppcsing surfaces 8 and 9 of the fianges 4 and 5, respectively.

In the Construction shown it is desired that n the surfaces 8 and 9 be rendered free of any obstruction to the smooth rolling of the wheels above referred to against these surfaces in the operation of the conveyor, the beam 3, in accordance with the preferred, illustrated, embodiment of my invention having formed integrally 'therewith along its upper surface and preferably in the central vertical plane of the beam, an upwardly projecting rib 10 preferably extending throughout the length of the beam, with its lateral surfaces undercut as represented at 11.

The rib 10 afiords means on the beam 3 at which the latter is adapted to be supported and also, if desired, at which the beam is adapted to be connected with the adjacent end of another beam section in longitudinal alinement therewith, where the track is to be ormed of a plurality of beam sections arranged in end to end relation.

The means shown for supporting the track beam from an overhead structure such as the roof of a building and represented at 12 comprise sectional clamp devices 13 each formed of the sections 14 and 15 adapted to be applied to the rib 10 against the opposite sides of the latter as shown in Fg. 2 and secured together by a bolt 16, either one, or both, of these sections being adapted for the securng of the clamp to the overhead supporting structure; in the Construction shown the section 15 only being provided with such attachment and to this end extending at a portion 17 upwardly above the section 14 and provided with horizontal fiange portions 18 to receive the bolts 19 by which it is secured to the overhead structure 12.

The clamp portions of the sections 14 and 15 are preferably shaped to conform to the cross sectional contour of the upper portion of the track beam 3, as shown, whereby these clamp sections overlie the top of the rib 10 and the upper surface of the flange 8 and extend into the undercut portions 11 of the rib, whereby a firm grip on the track beam is effected, it being preferred that the clamping surfaces of the sections 14 and 15 be so shaped that in drawing them tightly into engagement with the upper portion of the beam able Construction-;such as shown by theelamping g means described, but without anyportionthereof for attachment to the overhead support, may be provided for application to the rib-equipped portions of these sections.

It will be understood from the foregoing that the track beam may be fol-med with the rib -10= integral therewith in any desirable way-as fon. example by rolling the rib thereomirrthetopration of rolling the beam.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do notwish' to be understood as intending to limit ittheiteto as the same may be variously modified and altered wtih'but'- departin g frm the. spiritzo my invention.

What I 'claim asnewgand desire to secure by.

Letters'Ptent; is

1. A -'conveyor track construction comprising .a beam having upper and lower flanges-.and &pro-5,

jectiomon -th-exterior surface'of one of 'said fianges and of tapering orm intcross'section,;sthe tapering surfaces of said projection formin'g with" the fiange'- from which: said projection extends wedge-shaped grooves at opposte sides 'of: 'said beam, and means for supporting said beam com'- prising wedge-shaped jaws which extend into and confornably fit both walls of said grooves.

2. A conveyor track Construction comprising a beam having upper and lower fianges and a projection on the exterior surface of one of said fianges and of tapering form in cross section', the tapering surfaces of said projection forming With the fiange from which said projection extends wedge-shaped grooves at opposte sides of said beam, and means for supporting said beam comprising wedge-shaped jaws which extend into and conformabiy 'fit both walls of said grooves and theysurface of said projection extending between said ;tapering :surfaces ;of said projection.

3.-A.sconveyor, track ,construction comprising a beam having upper. and lower fianges and a proje'ctionwn'the 'exterior surface of one of said `'flangs-and of tapering form in cross section, the

tapering surfaces of said projection forming with thexfiangerrnmtwhich 'said projection extends wedge sha-ped grooves atsopposite sides ofzsaid'- beam; andvmeansfor supporting saidbeam com?.

prising wedge-sha-ped j aws which extenci into and conformably fit both;vwa11s of'saidvgrooves, said .i ja-ws -sextending- Lin: `engageme't. .withi ,said last- HERMAN H'. DIEHL. 

